Arriving at Seventeen: Resilience and Reinvention with Maksym from Ukraine

Two Goodbyes, One New Beginning: Maria’s Story of Starting Over

In this episode, Maria Concepcion Nava Guedez shares what it truly means to leave everything behind for the safety and future of your family. Raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Maria lived a simple, family centered life built around work, her children, and daily visits to her mother and grandmother. When political instability and severe shortages began closing doors around her, she faced a decision she never imagined making. Stay and risk her children’s future, or leave and rebuild from nothing. Maria opens up about the fear leading up to her departure, the emotional weight of saying goodbye twice at two airports, and the loneliness that hits when you land in a city where no one knows your name. She speaks honestly about navigating legal processes, enrolling her children in school, and learning how to start over without a support system. Today, Maria lives with gratitude and strength. She still misses the scent of Lake Maracaibo and the blazing sun of her hometown, but she has built a new life rooted in safety and chosen family. Her story is about resilience, identity, and what it means to live with a divided heart while loving two countries with equal depth. This conversation is for anyone who has ever started over, and for those who want to understand what that truly costs. Maria Concepcion Nava Guedez Bio Maria Concepcion Nava Guedez is originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela. Before immigrating, her life revolved around her children, her work, and daily visits with her mother and grandmother. Family was the center of everything. Faced with growing insecurity and economic hardship in her home country, Maria made the difficult decision to immigrate in search of stability and opportunity for her family. What followed was a journey marked by fear, resilience, and determination. She rebuilt her life step by step in a new country, navigating legal systems, education systems, and cultural differences while carrying the emotional weight of separation from her homeland. Today, Maria lives with gratitude for the safety and peace she has found, while still honoring her roots. She believes that being an immigrant means loving two lands at once and carrying both forward with strength. Her story reflects courage, devotion to family, and the quiet power of starting again.

Arriving Too Soon: Leaving Home and Learning Independence with Mohamed

In this episode of Arriving by Immigrant KnowHow, Mohamed shares what it was like to leave Egypt at 21 and begin a new life in Kuwait. Moving away from family, friends, and everything familiar, he reflects on the loneliness, growth, and quiet strength that come with learning independence earlier than expected. Mohamed’s story captures a tender moment in the immigrant journey, when arrival means growing up fast and finding your footing in a new place.

Arriving at Seventeen: Resilience and Reinvention with Maksym from Ukraine

In this episode of Arriving by Immigrant KnowHow, we meet Maksym, who left Ukraine for Slovakia at just 17. What began as a leap into the unknown became a journey of rebuilding, independence, and self-discovery. Now a freelancer in SEO, copywriting, QA testing, and AI automation, Maksym shares how he adapted to a new culture, found belonging far from home, and turned uncertainty into opportunity. His story is a reminder that arrival isn’t just about crossing borders, it’s about growing into who you’re becoming.

Arriving in Identity: Art, Justice, and Belonging with PJ Temple

On this episode of Arriving by Immigrant KnowHow, psychologist and author PJ Temple shares how migration, identity, and justice intersect in her life and work. From her memoir Where the Tiger Dwells to her essays and art, PJ explores the psychological impact of immigration, the struggle for equity, and the healing power of storytelling. Her journey offers a deeply human look at belonging, resilience, and creating space for new narratives.